APPREHENDED
- Full name: Imad Djebali
- Pseudonym: N/a
- Alternatives: N/a
- Location: France, fmr Syria
- Affiliation: Artigat and Toulouse Network [FAT], Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [DaIISh]
Imad Djebali is a jihadi of North African descent from the Izards suburb of Toulouse. He is a longtime member of the Artigat and Toulouse Network [FAT; Filière d’Artigat et Toulouse] and was a friend of Mohammed Merah since childhood.1 Djebali was among the network’s associates who traveled to Syria in 2006. Ostensibly in the country to study Arabic, he probably helped finance the FAT’s efforts to send some of its members to join Iraq’s al-Qa’ida branch.2 Djebali was arrested as French authorities cracked down on the network in 2007.3 He was handed a three-and-a-half-year prison term in July 2009.4
Upon his release from prison in the early 2010s, Djebali linked up with FAT associate Thomas Barnouin to help rekindle the activities of the network. They gathered about a dozen companions and began organizing fitness training and practicing tactics with paintball sessions.5 French security services put the men under surveillance in 2012.6
In early 2014, Djebali left France and joined the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [DaIISh; Dawlat al-Islamiya fi-Iraq wal ash-Sham] in Syria.7 The nature of his activities in the country remains unknown. Djebali and several companions were taken into custody by Turkish borders guards after they had crossed the border in late August 2014.8 Turkey extradited them to France about a month later, but miscommunication by the Turks resulted in French police waiting for them at the wrong airport.9 Djebali surrendered to the authorities on Sep. 24, 2014. A court sentenced him to fifteen years imprisonment for his leading role in the FAT’s recruitment activities for the DaIISh on Oct. 20, 2017.10
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